John 12:39-43: a reflection

39For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again: 40“He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them.” 41Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him. 42Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, 43for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.

In a sad note about many who saw Jesus, John explains why some who actually believed in him would not confess it: they feared what others would think, and loved human approval more than God's. Even many of the rulers believed in him, John says, but because of the Pharisees they didn't confess it, so that they wouldn't be put out of the synagogue; for they loved men's praise more than God's praise. They believed, but fear of others and love of human praise kept them from confessing Christ openly. They cared more about what people would think, about keeping their standing and approval, than about honoring God by confessing Christ. The love of human praise, and the fear of others' disapproval, kept them from openly standing for Christ. To love the praise of people more than the praise of God can keep us from confessing Christ, from standing for him openly, for fear of what others will think. The fear of losing human approval can silence even a real faith.

Notice what kept these believers from confessing Christ: they loved men's praise more than God's. They actually believed in Jesus; but they would not confess it, because they feared being put out of the synagogue, feared the disapproval of the Pharisees, feared losing their standing among people. They valued human praise and approval more than God's, and so kept their faith hidden. This is a sobering thing: a real belief silenced by the fear of others and the love of human approval. We can believe in Christ and yet be kept from confessing him openly, from standing for him, by the fear of what others will think, by our love of human praise and our reluctance to lose it. The desire for people's approval, and the fear of their disapproval, can silence our confession of Christ. To love human praise more than God's is to be vulnerable to this silencing fear. When we value others' approval above God's, we can be kept from openly honoring Christ. The love of human praise competes with the courage to confess Christ. It can silence even those who believe.

That is worth taking to heart, for the love of human praise and the fear of others can keep us from confessing Christ openly, and we must not let it. We can believe in Christ and yet be kept from confessing him, from standing for him openly, by the fear of what others will think and the love of human approval, as these rulers believed but would not confess for fear of the Pharisees, loving human praise more than God's. But to love human praise more than God's is to let fear silence our confession of Christ. There is a call here to value God's praise above human approval, and to confess Christ openly despite the fear of others. Do not let the love of human praise or the fear of others keep you from confessing Christ openly; value God's praise above people's. Do not let the love of human praise or the fear of others' disapproval keep you from confessing Christ openly, but value God's praise above human approval, as many rulers believed in Jesus yet would not confess him for fear of the Pharisees, loving men's praise more than God's; for a real faith can be silenced by the fear of losing human approval, and to love the praise of people more than the praise of God can keep us from standing openly for Christ, so that we must value God's praise above human approval and confess Christ despite the fear of what others will think.

Lord, in a sad note about many who saw Jesus, John explains why some who actually believed in him would not confess it: they feared what others would think, and loved human approval more than God's. Even many of the rulers believed in him, John says, but because of the Pharisees they didn't confess it, so that they wouldn't be put out of the synagogue; for they loved men's praise more than God's praise. They believed, but fear of others and love of human praise kept them from confessing Christ openly. They cared more about what people would think, about keeping their standing and approval, than about honoring you by confessing Christ. Show me what kept these believers from confessing Christ: they loved men's praise more than God's. They actually believed in Jesus; but they would not confess it, because they feared being put out of the synagogue, feared losing their standing among people. They valued human praise more than yours, and so kept their faith hidden. This is a sobering thing: a real belief silenced by the fear of others and the love of human approval. I can believe in Christ and yet be kept from confessing him openly by the fear of what others will think, by my love of human praise. The desire for people's approval can silence my confession of Christ. Take that to my heart, for the love of human praise and the fear of others can keep me from confessing Christ openly, and I must not let it. I can believe in Christ and yet be kept from standing for him by the fear of what others will think, as these rulers believed but would not confess for fear of the Pharisees. Keep me from letting the love of human praise or the fear of others keep me from confessing Christ openly; help me value your praise above human approval, Lord, and confess Christ despite the fear of what others will think.